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What to do this Memorial Day weekend around metro Atlanta

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season. For metro Atlantans, this means three glorious days for food, fun, and sun in celebration of the brave men and women of the Armed Services.

Lauren Rudeseal, WXIA 10:30 a.m. EDT May 24, 2014

An American Legion Color Guard fires a salute during Memorial Day services at the Willow River Cemetery in Hudson, Wisconsin. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving their country. AFP PHOTO / Karen BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo: KAREN BLEIER)

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season. For metro Atlantans, this means three glorious days for food, fun, and sun in celebration of the brave men and women of the Armed Services. The 11Alive News Help Desk compiled a list of fun and affordable parades, festivals, and ceremonies for you, your friends, and family to enjoy!

Saturday and Sunday are jam packed with events involving music and the arts. The Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park is the nation's largest FREE jazz festival with a line-up of performers showcasing the best of what the genre has to offer. The Decatur Arts Festival offers a variety of events to highlight the performing, literary, and fine arts. If you're looking to start or add to a personal art collection, you should check out the two-day silent auction benefiting the Decatur Arts Alliance. The steel drums and vibrant costumes at the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival brings the sights and sounds of the islands to the streets of Atlanta. Dance your way down the parade route starting at the MARTA Civic Center station and ending at Morris Brown Herndon Stadium.

Memorial Day ceremonies will be held throughout the metro area on Monday. Salute the Troops at Stone Mountain offers a variety of patriotic activities and features family friendly laser and firework shows. Remember Roswell in the city of Roswell is the largest commemorative celebration in Georgia. Remember Roswell starts at 10:30 with food tents and concerts following the ceremony. The city of Smyrna is also sponsoring a free event at 20th Century Veteran's Memorial starting at 9:30 a.m. Click here for more information on Memorial Day ceremonies and festivities.

The 11Alive News Help Desk would like to express our utmost gratitude to all active duty and veteran military personnel. Thank you for your selfless service and on this Memorial Day, we salute YOU!

Suwanee concert salutes veteransThe city of Suwanee will host a Memorial Day weekend concert featuring patriotic and big-band sounds. Blankets, chairs, and picnics welcome. No alcohol may be brought into Town Center Park.

Decatur Arts Festival includes an art walk Friday evening and an artists' market with live music Saturday and Sunday.Free admissionFriday May 23 – Sunday May 25, 2014Agnes Scott College, 141 E. College Ave. Decatur, GAwww.decaturartsfestival.com

Marietta Memorial Day Flag PlacementThe Atlanta Area Council Boy Scouts of America Foothills District places flags on the more than 18,000 graves of U.S. military veterans in the Marietta National Cemetery.

Military Timeline EventEvents available throughout the day include role play at Veterans Park, where you can experience what it was like to be a World War I soldier, firing demonstration, arts and crafts, re-enactors representing veterans from the American Revolution and author Alvin Townley gives a speech about his novel, "Defiant".

$16.50 adults, $13 students and seniors, $11 children 4-12, Children under 4 years old and free admission for visitors with military IDSaturday May 24 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. Atlanta, GAwww.atlantahistorycenter.com/family

Duluth Honors Wounded WarriorsThe ceremony will honor the nation's servicemen and women as well as pay special tribute to fallen and wounded soldiers. Duluth's Memorial Day ceremony will pay special tribute to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Salute the Troops at Stone MountainEnjoy unlimited access to all of Stone Mountain Park attractions including Sky Hike, Scenic Railroad, Summit Skyride and Adventure Golf. Stay for a special patriotic fireworks salute in the evening after the Laser Show Spectacular.

All active and retired military personnel will receive one free Adventure Pass with valid ID and will save up to $10 off per person for immediate family members.

Memorial Day at the mountainSalute the Troops includes live music, a patriotic laser show, and fireworks at Stone Mountain Park. Discount provided for all active and retired military.

$10 for a one day parking pass; $35 for an annual parking passSaturday May 24 through Monday May 261000 Robert E. Lee Blvd. Stone Mountain, GAwww.stonemountainpark.com

Meet Our Veterans: World War II Round Table of AtlantaOrganized by the World War II Round Table of Atlanta. Many exhibitors include Tuskegee Airmen, Witness to War Foundation and several World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veterans.

City of Woodstock Memorial Day ceremonyThe city of Woodstock joins forces with the American Legion, Marine Corps League, and other local veterans groups to honor those who have fought and those who have fallen in the service.

Roswell Remembers at Roswell City HallVeterans reflect during Georgia's largest Memorial Day ceremony This event includes memorial displays open to the public, music from the Atlanta wind symphony and Chattahoochee Celtic pipes and drums. The featured speaker is Jonna Doolittle Hoppes, founder of the Doolittle Foundation. Because of abrupt gunshots from the 21-gun salute, this event is not suitable for pets.

Henry County's Annual Memorial Day Service at Veterans Wall of HonorThere will be a presentation of the colors by the Ola AFJROTC Color Guard, a ceremonial wreath laying and music from bagpipe and bugle. The keynote speaker will be retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gary Freedman.